Metals Allergy Testing Program

Up to 10% of joint replacements will fail, causing pain, swelling and/or instability. The MetALLs Allergy program at National Jewish Health was developed to evaluate allergy to the metal and bone cement components used in joint replacements as a potential cause of failure. The MetALLs program offers individualized evaluation that can help guide the selection of hardware, minimize failure due to allergy and reduce the need for surgical revision in joint replacement patients.

Who should be referred for MetALLs allergy evaluation?

After joint replacement (post-op): patients with persistent pain, swelling and/or loosening should be referred after infection and biomedical mis-match have been excluded as a cause.

Before joint replacement (pre-op): patients with a history of allergy or sensitivity to metals or artificial nails.

What MetALLs evaluations are available?

We currently offer two options for assessing joint replacement patients for allergies:

We also offer the nickel lymphocyte proliferation test (NiLPT). The NiLPT is a simple blood assay that has been validated by patch testing, which detects nickel sensitization. This is an ideal test for patients who cannot travel to Denver for our comprehensive medical evaluation but who are concerned that they might be allergic to nickel. Order a test.

Tests We Offer

Allergy MetALLs Nickel Lymphocyte Proliferation (NiLPT) Testing

The nickel lymphocyte proliferation test (NiLPT) is a simple blood test for nickel allergy that measures the proliferation of lymphocytes (white blood cells) when presented with a challenge agent. The NiLPT offers physicians the ability to diagnose nickel allergy if patch testing is unavailable. It also can be used when patch test results are inconclusive.

Thirty milliliters (or three tubes) of blood are drawn at the physician’s office and sent by overnight courier to the Advanced Diagnostics Laboratory (ADx) at National Jewish Health. Results typically will be available within 14 days.

The NiLPT has been validated against patch testing and demonstrated to have a specificity of 98% and sensitivity of 68%.

Sally began coming to National Jewish Health in the 1990s for treatment of chronic sarcoidosis, in which inflammation occurs in different organs of the body. “I have had nothing but excellent relationships with everyone at National Jewish Health,” said Sally.

We Are Open and Here for You

Our specialty care clinics for adults and children are open and ready to serve you. Your health is important, and that means taking care of your existing health care issues.

Please note that as we schedule appointments, including necessary procedures, we’re taking every precaution possible to ensure it’s safe to see your doctor. Call 303.398.1355 or make an appointment online.

Expanded COVID-19 Testing and Care Available

Acute Respiratory Clinics for adults and children, and a Respiratory Recovery Clinic for those recovering from COVID-19 are available.

Online Telehealth appointments and in office appointments are always available for our patients in need of care.

Drive through appointments for COVID-19 testing – antibody (serology) testing and molecular (swab) testing are available. Antibody testing can be self-scheduled, while molecular and other tests require a doctor’s order.

Patient Safety

As best practice for all patients, COVID-19 patients are cared for in separate, dedicated units. All staff and providers are required to wear masks and other personal protective equipment, and our facilities are continually cleaned using enhanced sterilization procedures.

Patients and visitors are screened upon arrival and are required to wear masks. Patients may have only one visitor accompany them to appointments. Please bring your own face mask to wear (cannot be a bandana or scarf, but can be a cloth mask).